About Us

Fighting hunger, improving lives, strengthening communities.

Help spread the word... share this page

Thank you for taking a few minutes to get to know the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, learn about our mission and find out how you can make a difference in the lives of hungry families right here in our communities. Learn also about the people we serve and the issue of hunger here in our neighborhoods, and how you can help make a difference in the lives of central Pennsylvanians struggling to put food on their tables.

In the beginning

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank has been dedicated to ending hunger for more than 30 years. The Food Bank started as a one-day demonstration project on World Food Day in 1981. To address the needs of hungry families, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank began permanent operation on October 16, 1982.

Originally, the Food Bank was located in a converted movie theater in Steelton. In 1991, the Food Bank initiated a capital campaign, raising $1.5 million directed to the construction of a brand new warehouse. In 1994, the Food Bank relocated to its current facility in Harrisburg. In 2002, a second warehouse was added in Williamsport, to better serve the northern tier of our territory. In 2012, the Food Bank’s Harrisburg warehouse underwent a second expansion, which added 28,000 square feet onto the existing warehouse.

serving 27 counties

Serving 27 counties, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is the largest non-profit food distribution organization in central PA. The Food Bank solicits, inventories and distributes food and other donated products to more than 900 partner agencies (food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, etc.) that directly serve people struggling with hunger. The Food Bank distributes more than 48 million pounds of food and grocery products. That is the equivalent of 40 million meals!

GuideStar USA, Inc. is an information service specializing in U.S. nonprofit companies. It provides information on more than 1.7 million IRS-recognized nonprofit organizations.View our profile on GuideStar